John Foster has built a career around steadiness, service, and long-term thinking. His life began on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton and unfolded across military bases in California, Hawaii, and Virginia. Growing up in that environment meant constant change, clear rules, and strong examples. His father was a decorated Marine Corps officer and Vietnam combat leader. His mother was an English immigrant and former wartime evacuee who rebuilt her life in the United States and worked as a paralegal for four decades.
Those early influences shaped how John approaches work and leadership. He learned to stay calm, prepare carefully, and focus on what matters most.
John studied History and Foreign Affairs at the University of Virginia, followed by a law degree from UVA Law. He began his career as a Senior Attorney in private practice, where he learned the value of precision and preparation. In 1999, he moved into public service as an Assistant County Attorney for Fairfax County. He later became City Attorney for the City of Falls Church, guiding leaders through complex decisions regarding a sale of the City water system with clarity and balance.
Since 2013, John has served as General Counsel for Fairfax County Public Schools. In this role, he helps manage legal strategy for one of the largest school systems in the country. He is AV-rated (preeminent) by Martindale-Hubbell and serves on the Virginia State Bar Council.
Outside work, John finds clarity on long-distance bike rides through rural and remote areas, where steady effort mirrors the approach that has defined his career.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My day starts early. I review priorities before email. That keeps me focused. I block time for deep thinking and avoid constant interruptions. Productivity comes from structure, not speed.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I write them down and stress-test them. I ask who is affected and what could go wrong. If an idea survives that process, I move it forward in small steps.
What’s one trend that excites you?
Clearer communication in large organisations. Simpler language leads to better decisions.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Preparing the night before. Knowing tomorrow’s priorities lowers friction.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Slow down. Precision matters more than urgency.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
Most problems are made worse by acting too fast.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Step away from noise. Real thinking needs quiet.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I ride my bike. Long rides reset my thinking better than anything else.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Learning to translate complex ideas into plain language. That builds trust quickly.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Early on, I tried to solve everything myself. It failed. Delegation and listening improved outcomes.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Create fewer policies, but make them clearer and easier to use.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
A simple task manager. Nothing fancy. Clear lists beat complex systems.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
History books. They remind me that today’s problems aren’t new.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
The Ken Burns documentary on the American Revolution. It reminded me that American independence was not a sure thing and that diligence, patience and tenacity by the patriots eventually prevailed over the British empire.
Key learnings
- Clear thinking requires structure and quiet.
- Big systems improve when ideas are simple and practical.
- Long-term success comes from steady, disciplined effort.
- Clear communication builds trust faster than expertise alone.
- Stepping away can be the most productive move.